Holmes to take shot on returns

[BURGH86STEEL]

Re: Holmes to take shot on returns

I like the idea and looking forward to see what he can do. It's football, put your best players out there and play football. Injuries are going to happen and you have to have contingency ready to go regardless.

Lets play some Steeler football!

There's always this.. and a little bit of this... and, of course,

Pappy

I agree. Woodson returned in his prime. Have to let your best players touch the football as much as possible. Hopefully Holmes has the skills to return punts at this level.

[Shawn]

Re: Holmes to take shot on returns

I like the idea and looking forward to see what he can do. It's football, put your best players out there and play football. Injuries are going to happen and you have to have contingency ready to go regardless.

I agree. I don't think he's competing for the full time PR position. I think they want to use him like Ed Reed or Steve Smith, as a situational returner. He was pretty lights out as a PR for OSU if I remember correctly. He's already taken one to the house in an NFL game, I say we see what he can do.

Besides, I'm not 100% sure I buy into the whole "Special Teams is an injury risk" thing. I don't see how its anymore of a risk than playing in any other play.

-Russ

agreed... of course, this is assuming he's significantly better than the other guys.

if it's a wash, i don't play him on ST. unless the other guy only returns and it allows me to cut him.

Bingo, this is only applicable if he's a threat to take it to the house every time....ala Reed or Smith.

But we won't know if he is or not, if we don't let him try...

And there it is...$$$

[Flasteel]

Re: Holmes to take shot on returns

I like the idea of a situational punt returner. Kind of to electrify the crowd and give the team a spark when needed. If he proves to be that much better than anyone else we've got, then let Holmes return all of the punts.

I agree with the sentiment that you put the ball in the hands of your best weapons.

[stlrz d]

Re: Holmes to take shot on returns

It is more sheerer lunacy to lose him as a wide reciever where is averaged 18.2 Yards per catch last year so he can average at best 8 yards per punt return. He will have a much bigger impact as a receiver than returner.

Who do you think is more important to the Stains, Braylon Edwards or Joshua Cribbs? What do the following NFL greats have in common: Jerry Rice, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Art Monk, John Stallworth? They didn't return punts for the vast majority of their career. The punt return in a way overrated part of the game. I'd rather just fair catch the ball and turn it over to our potent offense with a healthy Santonio at WR. He will score more TDs as a receiver than returning punts.

Let the "freakishly athletic" Nate Washington return punts.

Stop making sense...it's clearly not working.

I hope he muffs every practice and pre-season attempt so we can put this BS to rest once and for all. If he were a Devin Hester type returner the Steelers would know it already.

[Oviedo]

Re: Holmes to take shot on returns

Devin Hester had 4 TDs in 42 returns last year so taking it to the house is hardly a possibility on every punt. It is unlikely that Holmes would be anywhere as good as Hester. I'd rather make sure Holmes gets his 8TDs as a receiver than a couple as a returner.

[Shawn]

Re: Holmes to take shot on returns

Devin Hester had 4 TDs in 42 returns last year so taking it to the house is hardly a possibility on every punt. It is unlikely that Holmes would be anywhere as good as Hester. I'd rather make sure Holmes gets his 8TDs as a receiver than a couple as a returner.

In my mind a terrific PR can mean 2 more wins a year. But, to make someone choose...either/or is short sighted. You act like if Holmes is the PR guy...he will get hurt. I don't know where you are getting this.

If you try him...and he is mediocre...put Moore back there. But, if he is a star...let the man play football and stop trying to bubble wrap the guy.

[AkronSteel]

Re: Holmes to take shot on returns

I like the idea of Holmes returning punts. He is good at it, as he showed his rookie year against Carolina. He returned punts at OSU too and did pretty well there too! I think he can give the team an added weapon in that capacity. Like 86 said, Woodson returned kicks in his prime and I'm sure none of us really worried about him getting hurt. Heck when he wasn't back there I was more concerned.

I think having a better PR could give us a couple extra victories/year, look at what Hester does for Chicago (not that I'm expecting the same production from SH). He could improve our overall field position and maybe give the team lightning in a bottle a couple of times this year.

[Shawn]

Re: Holmes to take shot on returns

I like the idea of Holmes returning punts. He is good at it, as he showed his rookie year against Carolina. He returned punts at OSU too and did pretty well there too! I think he can give the team an added weapon in that capacity. Like 86 said, Woodson returned kicks in his prime and I'm sure none of us really worried about him getting hurt. Heck when he wasn't back there I was more concerned.

I think having a better PR could give us a couple extra victories/year, look at what Hester does for Chicago (not that I'm expecting the same production from SH). He could improve our overall field position and maybe give the team lightning in a bottle a couple of times this year.

[stlrz d]

Re: Holmes to take shot on returns

Devin Hester had 4 TDs in 42 returns last year so taking it to the house is hardly a possibility on every punt. It is unlikely that Holmes would be anywhere as good as Hester. I'd rather make sure Holmes gets his 8TDs as a receiver than a couple as a returner.

There is simply no good reason to risk Holmes getting injured on a punt return pile up. If he gets hurt as a WR that's one thing since it is his position. Getting hurt doing something that in all likelihood can be done just as well by someone else is unacceptable.

I agree that a good punt returner is an asset to a team, but if they are so crucial then why do more teams not draft punt return specialists?

[Flasteel]

Re: Holmes to take shot on returns

Devin Hester had 4 TDs in 42 returns last year so taking it to the house is hardly a possibility on every punt. It is unlikely that Holmes would be anywhere as good as Hester. I'd rather make sure Holmes gets his 8TDs as a receiver than a couple as a returner.

There is simply no good reason to risk Holmes getting injured on a punt return pile up. If he gets hurt as a WR that's one thing since it is his position. Getting hurt doing something that in all likelihood can be done just as well by someone else is unacceptable.

I agree that a good punt returner is an asset to a team, but if they are so crucial then why do more teams not draft punt return specialists?

They do. Many receivers or DBs increase their draft stck because of this ability. Very few of them however are so skilled at it and are at the same time so worthless as a position player that you don't see many drafted only for that purpose. Plus it's an extra roster spot which is hard to warrant unless a guy is really special.

I just can't agree with the thinking quite a few of my esteemed brethren have on this matter. Santonio's "position" is whatever he is assigned to do to help this football team win games and we have to trust that the coaching staff will put the players in a position to best use their skills. If Holmes demonstrates the ability to be a difference maker as a punt returner (even part time), then that's the only intelligent thing to do.

Aside from Jason Sehorne years ago, I can't think of another position player who's been seriously hurt playing special teams. There is no more a risk of injury in returning punts than there is playing receiver other than more touches. It's the same thing as being worried that Holmes gets used on more end-arounds or averages more receptions per game.

I never saw anyone complain when Harrison asked to go back on special teams and that goes for Woodson, Randle-El, Lipps, etc...

Whatever it takes to win games.

[AkronSteel]

Re: Holmes to take shot on returns

Devin Hester had 4 TDs in 42 returns last year so taking it to the house is hardly a possibility on every punt. It is unlikely that Holmes would be anywhere as good as Hester. I'd rather make sure Holmes gets his 8TDs as a receiver than a couple as a returner.

There is simply no good reason to risk Holmes getting injured on a punt return pile up. If he gets hurt as a WR that's one thing since it is his position. Getting hurt doing something that in all likelihood can be done just as well by someone else is unacceptable.

I agree that a good punt returner is an asset to a team, but if they are so crucial then why do more teams not draft punt return specialists?

They do. Many receivers or DBs increase their draft stck because of this ability. Very few of them however are so skilled at it and are at the same time so worthless as a position player that you don't see many drafted only for that purpose. Plus it's an extra roster spot which is hard to warrant unless a guy is really special.

I just can't agree with the thinking quite a few of my esteemed brethren have on this matter. Santonio's "position" is whatever he is assigned to do to help this football team win games and we have to trust that the coaching staff will put the players in a position to best use their skills. If Holmes demonstrates the ability to be a difference maker as a punt returner (even part time), then that's the only intelligent thing to do.

Aside from Jason Sehorne years ago, I can't think of another position player who's been seriously hurt playing special teams. There is no more a risk of injury in returning punts than there is playing receiver other than more touches. It's the same thing as being worried that Holmes gets used on more end-arounds or averages more receptions per game.

I never saw anyone complain when Harrison asked to go back on special teams and that goes for Woodson, Randle-El, Lipps, etc...

Whatever it takes to win games.

100%

[Shawn]

Re: Holmes to take shot on returns

Devin Hester had 4 TDs in 42 returns last year so taking it to the house is hardly a possibility on every punt. It is unlikely that Holmes would be anywhere as good as Hester. I'd rather make sure Holmes gets his 8TDs as a receiver than a couple as a returner.

There is simply no good reason to risk Holmes getting injured on a punt return pile up. If he gets hurt as a WR that's one thing since it is his position. Getting hurt doing something that in all likelihood can be done just as well by someone else is unacceptable.

I agree that a good punt returner is an asset to a team, but if they are so crucial then why do more teams not draft punt return specialists?

They do. Many receivers or DBs increase their draft stck because of this ability. Very few of them however are so skilled at it and are at the same time so worthless as a position player that you don't see many drafted only for that purpose. Plus it's an extra roster spot which is hard to warrant unless a guy is really special.

I just can't agree with the thinking quite a few of my esteemed brethren have on this matter. Santonio's "position" is whatever he is assigned to do to help this football team win games and we have to trust that the coaching staff will put the players in a position to best use their skills. If Holmes demonstrates the ability to be a difference maker as a punt returner (even part time), then that's the only intelligent thing to do.

Aside from Jason Sehorne years ago, I can't think of another position player who's been seriously hurt playing special teams. There is no more a risk of injury in returning punts than there is playing receiver other than more touches. It's the same thing as being worried that Holmes gets used on more end-arounds or averages more receptions per game.

I never saw anyone complain when Harrison asked to go back on special teams and that goes for Woodson, Randle-El, Lipps, etc...

Whatever it takes to win games.

$$$

[stlrz d]

Re: Holmes to take shot on returns

Sorry but I don't feel Holmes is worth risking as a PR.

If I'm wrong and he turns out to be the next Deion Sanders or Devin Hester then I'll gladly admit it and leave the board. I know that will make some people happy around here.

That's how confident I am it is not a good idea to take a guy who has never been healthy for an entire NFL season, who has the potential to be one of the best WRs in the game and who has not shown any proclivity to be a punt returner in the NFL back there.

He won't be a difference maker and the risk is an unnecessary one.

And ftr, I don't like Harrison on ST either.

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

Re: Holmes to take shot on returns

Points of reference:

Lynn Swann: 41 punts returns as a rookie, 7 the next year when he became a full time starter

Louis Lipps: 53 punts returns as a rookie, 36 the next year and 3 the third year.

Deduction: When a WR becomes your "go to" guy you don't risk him returning punts.

This will prove to be a really bad move if Holmes is out there on a regular basis just to increase the return average by about 3 yards.

This.

...is this. This isn't something else. This is this.

Best friggin movie ever, maybe. I watched it four times consecutively working offshore once. My brain was fried for a year. "You're just to good to be true ...", can't hear that without thinking of "this" .

[Shawn]

Re: Holmes to take shot on returns

Is that a scene from deerhunter? I have never seen it.